Mechanical pencil



P. s. HAUTON MECHANICAL PENC'IL4 Filed Aug. 21, 1929 Oct. 1, 1935.

. wlli n INVENTOR P41/1 s. HAUTo/v BY l RPM ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED sTATEs PATENT CFI-'ICE Application August 21,

3 Claims.

My invention relates to pencils of the mechanical type, having means for adjustably projecting i and ejecting the lead.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a 5 generally improved, simplified and economical structure, and especially to provide an improved screw or operating helix, guide sleeve, lead grip and ejecting pin.

In pencils of this class the operating screw or helix has frequently been in the form of a helical wire or strip with spaced turns, and in such devices the spacing of the turns is liable to alteration after assembly of the pencil. I provide an operating screw or helix consisting of an originally iiat straight strip of sheet metal, and coil it into a helix with the strip edges in contact, the strip being cross-sectionally formed to provide a channel; or else I interpose a helical wire between the edges of the strip, so that in either c'ase the turnsof the strip are secured against variations in spacing.

I also provide in combination with the operating screw and a slotted guide sleeve, a lead grip sleeve therein, and ejecting pin within the grip sleeve, and lugs or ilanges on the grip sleeve and pinengaging the helix of the screw, together with a sleeve near the tip end of the pencil ca se or body and arranged to receive the grip sleeve flange in ejecting position. The guide sleeve is also .arranged' to have frictional cooperation with the grip sleeve flange to secure` the proper relative positioning of the grip sleeve and ejecting I ,in as the latter is withdrawn to permit the insertion of a fresh lead.

'Ihe characteristics and advantages of the invention are further suiliciently referred to in connection with the following detail description 1929, Serial No. 387,542

(Cl. 1Z0-18) Fig. 6 is a similar view of a modified operating screw or helix.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 to 5:

In the form shown, the'case or body I is of relatively thick section and may be-of wood, although 5 the case structure may be varied without aiIecting other features.

The operating screw or helix 2 extends throughout the greater part of the length of the case bore and may have a frictional fit therein, which is l0 suiilcient to secure the helix against rotation. In the form shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3, the screw consists of an originally flat strip of sheet metal, rthe y edges of which are bent at right angles to form shallow anges 3. This strip is wound or coiled l5 I into helical form with the ilanges in contact, thus producing a wide helical channel or thread formation 4 to cooperate with lugs of the grip sleeve and ejecting pin, as will appear.

In the variation shown in Fig. 5, the metal strip 20 is formed with a central bead 5, so that when wound to helicalv form, the edges of the strip abut and the successive turnsV of the bead 5 provide the screw channel therebetween. In the variation shown in Fig. 6, the metal strip 2a is at without25 edge flanges or bead, and it is wound into helical form with an interposed wire 5, also helically wound and with which the edges of the strip en gage, the wire in this case providing the sides of the screw thread formation o r channel, the bot- 30 tom of which is formed by the inner surface of the strip.

A short sleeve or tube 5 is inserted with a frictional iit near the tip end of case I, this sleeve being cylindrical and providing a chamber to re- 35 ceive the lead grip sleeve flange, or lug, in one operative position, as will appear.

of the accompanying drawing, which showseceranp':.fllilithin the helix 2 is a longitudinally slotted tain respective embodiments. After considering` these examples, skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed, and I contemplate the employment of any structures that are properly within the scope oi the lappended claims. l

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a pencil embodving the inventiondnone-form.\` Y 1 K Fig. 2 is a similar section of the lower end portion, showing another operative position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view. showing still another operative position.

Fig. 4 shows the guide sleeve and certain coop'- erating parts in partially disassembled condition.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of one form of operating screw or helix.

or channelled guide sleeve 1, the upper end of which is provided Vwith prongs 8 inserted and 40 clenched in slots in the lupper end 9 of a thimble I0, which is revolvable on the reduced upper end portion of the case and secured against axial displacement by a bead I I pressed in the sleeveV and engaged in an angular channel in the case. A 45 sleeve I2 is irictionally engaged over thimblev I0. The outer portion oi' sleeve I2 receives an eraser I2a, or a cup or thimble I3 of sheet metal in which the eraser may be placed, removal of thimble I3 being prevented by pressing or spinning inward 50 the edge I4 of sleeve I2. By the described arrangement the guide sleeve 'I may be rotated in relation to the case. and helix 2, by turning sleeve I2. A lead grip sleeve I5 is slidably located within the guide sleeve, and the grip sleeve has near its upperend a closed slot Il to accommodate a relatively long and narrow lug or ilange II, of an electing pin Il, which is slidably located within the grip sleeve. The lug yI8 may be formed by bending the pin, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Below slot I8, the grip sleeve has formed thereon a relatively long and narrow iiange or lug I9 passing through the slot of the guide sleeve. Lug I'I also passes through the slotin guide sleeve, and both the lugs engage in the channel of the screw or helix 2. A lower end portion oi the slot in the guide sleeve is relatively narrow or constricted as at 20, Fig. 2, for frictional cooperation with lug I9, as will appear. The lower end of the grip sleeve is slotted as at 2I to provide a lead grip.

A metal tip 22 is ilxed at the lower end of the case by providing it with an upper or sleeve portion 23 telescoping within sleeve 6 and frictionally or otherwise retained. The bore 24 at the lower end of tip .22 provides a lead guide. A lower inner portion of the tip 22 is recessed or conical as at 2l, so that when in ejecting position the lower end of the grip sleeve will engage in this conical portion the guide bore 24I to check further outward movement oi' the grip sleeve.

When a fresh lead has been inserted in the lead grip and the grip sleeve is withdrawn to any intermediate position within the pencil, the grip sleeve and ejecting pin are positioned as shown in Fig. l; that is, the lower end of the pin is withdrawn from the lower end of the grip sleeve suiilcient to permit proper engagement of the lead end within the gripping formation or clutch of the sleeve, this proper positioning of the grip sleeve and pin being maintained by engagement of their respective lugs I1 and I9 in the screw. channel. The lead is then projected as desired by rotation of sleeve I2, thus causingl rotation of the guide sleeve 'I which in turn causes the lugs IIand I9 to rotate and to be moved downward, with maintenance ot their proper spacing, as controlled by the screw channel or helix. When the end oi the grip sleeve approaches the lower end of theconical formation 25 of tip 22, lug I9 passes out of the screw channel or helix and is located in the clear annular chamber providedby sleeve 6, and the grip sleeve is therefore permitted to remain stationary while continued rotation ofsleeve I0 causes further outward movement of the ejecting pin by cooperation of its lug with the screw channel, and nally the end oi the pin forces out the lead butt, as shown in Fig. 3.

Reverse rotation of sleeve I2 then ilrst retracts theeiecting pin by movement of its lug I8 in the screw channel while the grip sleeve is prevented from upward movement by Irictional engagement of its lug I9 in the narrow slot portion 20 of the guide sleeve. 'I'his condition continues until lug I'I engages the upper end of slot I6. At this time after both of the lugs are withdrawn toward the upper end of the case and in properly spaced rela- 10 tion, as above referred to, by rotary movement in the screw channel as impelled by the guide sleeve.

I thus provide in a simple and inexpensive structure, for positive regulable projection oi' the 15 lead, for'positive lead butt ejection, and for convenient reloading, with deilnite control of the grip sleeve and electing pin during reloading, and positive retraction of the grip sleeve with the lead into the pencil after reloading, all by manipulation oi the one controlling element, namely, sleeve'l2. l

I claim: 1. A pencil comprising an operating helix, a slotted guide sleeve, a lead grip sleeve therein' having a slot in one side, and an electing pin within the grip sleeve, the grip sleeve and pin having lugs projecting through the guide sleeve channel and engaging the helix. the lower portion of the slot of the guide sleeve being constricted for frictional cooperation with the grip sleeve lug.

2. A pencil comprising an operating helix, a slotted guide sleeve, a lead grip sleeve therein having a slot in one side and an ejecting pin within the grip sleeve, the grip sleeve and pin having lugs projecting through the guide sleeve channel and engaging the helix, the lug of the ejecting pin also passing through a slot in the grip sleeve, n the lower portion oi the slot of the guide sleeve being constricted for frictional cooperation with the grip sleeve lug.

. -3. An eraser support for mechanical pencils comprising a manually operable sleeve of substantially uniform inside diameter adapted to frictionally ilt one end oi'. a lead moving member, an eraser, a cylindrically shaped cup seating one end of the eraser, an inturned ange at one end of the sleeve leaving an opening, the inside diameter of the sleeve being substantially the same as the outside diameter of the cup and the diameter of the opening being less than that of the cup to permit the eraser and cup to be inserted in the sleeve 

